Hand grenade



Oct. 1, 1940. G. CARDIN! 2,216,587

I HAND GRENADE Filed Dec. 30, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l fll ' INVENTOR 47,: BY

13 ATTORNEYS Oct. 1, 1940. CARDlNl 2,216,587

HAND GRENADE Filed Dec. 50. 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTO R N EYS Patented Oct. 1, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 12 Claims.

This invention relates to hand. grenades and has for an object to provide a grenade adapted to be exploded by the force of impact incident to the grenade striking the ground or other object.

Another object of the invention is to provide a grenade having a safety device which-is automatically liberated while the grenade is in flight.

Another object is to provide a grenade having safety devices, one of which is manually operated before the grenade is thrown and the other device actuated by the pressure of air thereon while traveling towards its objective.

Another object is to provide a grenade having primary and secondary safety devices arranged to telescope one within the other, of which the primary device may be temporarily secured in the grenade for locking both devices against unintentional displacement and capable of being removed manually, thereby presenting a maximum degree of safety while being stored, handled, transported, or being accidentally dropped, the impact of which will not cause the grenade to explode. I

Another object is to provide a grenade which will operate withcertainty upon impact irrespective of the position of the grenade with respect to the object struck, after the safety devices have been removed.

Another object is to provide a grenade which is inexpensive to manufacture, simple in construction and assembly, positive in operation and having a maximum safety factor in use.

A still further object is to provide certain improvements in the form, construction, and arrangement of the several parts whereby the above named and other objects may effectively be attained.

A practical embodiment of my invention is represented in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 represents a plan view of my improved hand grenade assembled for storing, transporting or ready for use.

Fig. 2 represents a side elevation of the same.

Fig. 3 represents a front elevation of thesame.

Fig. 4 represents a vertical section in the plane of the line IV-IV of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 5 represents a similar view in detail showing the first safety device removed.

Fig. 6 represents a side elevation or the first safety device.

Fig. '7 represents a plan view of the same.

in Fig. 5 with the second safety device removed and the parts in the position ready to be actuated by the impact.

Fig. 9 represents a detailed side elevation of the second safety device.

Fig. 10 represents a plan view of the same, and

Fig. 11 represents a view of the grenade as in flight with the second safety device partly re-.-

moved therefrom by the pressure of the air act- 1 ing upon the oscillating wings.

The body of the grenade is of canister form and comprises an upper cup-shaped member denoted by Ihaving a screw thread portion 2 arranged to be threaded into a screw thread end 3 of a lowerv cup-shaped member 4. Each of the members I and 4 is provided with a metal receptacle 5 adapted to contain an explosive and slugs or other missiles 6, if desired. Each receptacle 5 has a metal cover I secured thereon, in which cover is disposed a detonator tube 8 having a percussion cap 9, of any well known or approved form. The end of the tube 8 is embedded in the explosive 6 and extends inwardly toward the bottom ID of the receptacle 5. The bottom II) is recessed at H to house a metal weight l2 between it and the interiorly ribbed end I3 of the members I and 4. Thus it will be seen that the receptacles 5 with their covers 1, detonator tubes 8 and percussion caps 9 are disposed in opposite directions with respect to each other and the weights I2 at the extreme ends of the members I and 4. The receptacles 5 are spaced apart in their respective members I and 4 to form a firing chamber l4 in which is secured a yielding corrugated disc 15 of relatively thin metal having oppositely Flat springs 19, 20 have their center portions fixed to the opposite sides of the center of the disc l5 adjacent-to firing pins I6, l1, and each is bent so that the free outer ends will extend away from the disc. These flat springs I 9, 20 serve to set and hold the disc against normal vibration.

In order to protect the percussion caps 9 and prevent the firing pins I6, I 1 from unintentionally The weights I 2 interposed be- 40 Fig. 8 represents a similar view to that shown engaging the percussion caps I provided a safe 55 the fiat springs I9, 29 and the firing pins I6,

I1, as shown in Figs. 4, 5, and- 8. On the outer ends of the pintle 23 I hinge wings 21, 28 having knuckles 29, 30 embracing the pintle. Each wing is shaped to substantially conform tothe exterior contour of the members and 4 and be wrapped partly around the same so that the tips 3|, 32 of the wings will approach each other in the front of the members, as seen in Figs, 1,

2, and 3. Each wing is perforated at 33, 34 in any shape desired so as to relieve certain pressure of the air thereon when extended or in flight, as shown in Figs. 9 to 11 inclusive. The tips 3|, 32 of the wings are held against unintentional displacement by means of a bolt 35, one end 36 of which extends into a hole 31 in the tip 3| of the wing 21, while 'the other end 38 passes into a hole 39 in the tip 32 of the wing 28. This bolt 35 is journaled in the end of a locking device formed of relatively thin sheet metal which comprises an ofiset flat end 40 having an upper channel-shaped arm M and a lower channel-shaped arm 42. The upper arm 4| is arranged to be inserted in the slot 26 in the member I and be interposed between the channel arm 2| and the cover 1 having the percussion cap 9 of the receptacle 5. This arm 4| is also formed at its extreme end with a finger 43 which is disposed to extend through the slot 25 and between the knuckle 29 of the wings and upper channel arm '2I, in which position it is bent downwardly over the end of the spring 24. Simultaneously the lower channel-shaped arm 42 is inserted in the slot 26 between the lower arm 22 and,the cover 1 of the receptacle 5. This lower arm 42 is also provided with a finger 44 which extends through the slot 25 between the knuckle 30 of the. wings and the lower arm 22, where it is bent upwardly over the spring 24. With the fingers 43, 44 on the upper and lower arms 4|, 42 bent in the position shown in Figs. 2 and 4 the percussion caps 9 will be protected from the firing pins I6, I1 and the grenade locked so that it may be transported, stored, roughly handled, or accidentally dropped Without danger of being exploded.

In order that the locking device may be readily Withdrawn from its position in the firing chamber I4 I provide a handle 45 having a hinge connection 46 with the bolt 35 which connection is arranged to straddle the offset flat end 40 so that the handle may hang perpendicular and in close proximity to the lower member 4 of the grenade.

When the locking device is to be withdrawn the fingers 43 and 44 may be previously straightened so as to pass freely between the knuckles 29, 30 of the wings and upper and lower channel arms 2|, 22, or they may be automatically straightened by force exerted on the handle 45. I I

When the locking device is withdrawn the ends 36, 38 of thebolt 35 are first removed from the holes 31, 39 in the tips 3|, 32 respectively of the wings and the channel arms 4|, 42 removed from the firing chamber. In this position the wings are free and the channel arms 2|, 22 are left to protect the firing pins from the percussion caps. With the locking device withdrawn the grenade is-ready to be thrown by hand towards its objective. The operator in throwing the grenade will of course hold the wings close to the body of the grenade and after it leaves the hand of the operator the pressure of air on the wing, as well as any centrifugal action, will cause the wings to oscillate on their pintle and fly out-.

be resorted to in the form, construction, and ar- I rangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, and hence I do not intend to be limited to the details herein shown and described except as they may be included in the claims.

What I claim is:

1. A hand grenade comprising, a casing having explosive receptacles therein, a firing chamber in said casing between said receptacles, a corrugated vibratory disc in said chamber having oppositely disposed pins thereon adapted to be brought into engagement with said receptacles by impact, a resilient means on said disc for holding it against normal vibration, a guard comprising channel arms hinged together and arranged to be inserted between said pins and receptacles for preventing the movement of said disc and pins, and means for removing said arms simultaneously during flight.

2. A hand grenade comprising, a casing having explosive receptacles therein, a firing chamber in said casing between said receptacles, a vibratory disc in said chamber having oppositely disposed pins thereon adapted to be-brought into engagement with said receptacles by impact, a guard interposed between each of said pins and receptacles for preventing the movement of said disc and pins, and means on said guards arranged to be engaged by action of the airthereon during'fiight for removing the guards simultaneously.

3. A hand grenade comprising, a casing liaving explosive receptacles therein, a firing chamber in said casing between said receptacles, a vibratory disc in said chamber having oppositely disposed pins thereon adapted to be brought into engagement with ,said receptacles by impact, a

guard interposed between each of said pins and receptacles for preventing the movement of said disc and pins, and means pivoted on said guards arranged to be swung outwardly from said casing by action of the air thereon during flight for removing the guards simultaneously.

4. A hand grenade comprising, a casing having explosive receptacles therein, a firing chamber in said casing between, said receptacles, a vibratory disc in said chamber having oppositely disposed pins thereon adapted to be brought into engagement with said receptacles by impact, a guard interposed between each of said pins and receptacles for preventing the movement of said disc and pins, means for removing said, guards simultaneously during flight, and a locking device engaging said means and guards.

. 5. A hand grenade comprising, a casing having explosive receptacles therein, a firing chamber in said casing between said receptacles, a vibratory disc in said chamber having oppositely disposed pins thereon adapted to be brought into engagement with said receptacles by impact, a guard interposed between each of said pins and receptacles for preventing the movement of said disc and pins, means on said guards arranged to be engaged by action of the air thereon during flight for removing the guards simultaneously, and a locking device engaging said means and guard.

6. A hand grenade comprising, a casing having explosive receptacles therein, a firing chamber in said casing between said receptacles, a vibratory disc in said chamber having oppositely disposed pins thereon adapted to be brought into' engagement with said receptacles by impact, a guard interposed between each of said pins and receptacles for preventing the movement of said disc and pins, means pivoted on said guard arranged to be swung outwardly by action of the air thereon during flight for removing the guard, and a locking device engaging said means and guard.

7. A hand grenade comprising, a casing having explosive receptacles therein, a firing chamber in said casing between said receptacles, a vibratory disc in said chamber having oppositely disposed pins thereon adapted to be brought into engagement with said receptacles by impact, a guard interposed between each of said pins and receptacles for preventing the movementof said disc and pins, means for removing said guards simultaneously during flight, and a locking device removably disposed between each of said guards and receptacles and arranged to engage said means.

8. A hand grenade comprising, a casing having explosive receptacles therein, a firing chamber in said casing between said receptacles, a vibratory disc in said chamber having oppositely disposed pins thereon adapted to be brought into engagement with said receptacles by impact, a guard interposed between each of said pins and receptacles for preventing the movement of said disc and pins, means on. said guards arranged to be engaged by action of the air thereon during fiight for removing the guards simultaneously, and a locking device removably disposed between each of said guards and receptacles and arranged to engage said means.

9. A hand grenade comprising, a casing having explosive receptacles therein, a firing chamber in said casing between said receptacles, a vibratory disc in said chamber having oppositely disposed pins thereonadapted to be brought into engagement with said receptacles by impact, a guard interposed betweeneach of said pins and receptacles for preventing the movement of said disc and pins, means pivoted on said guard arranged to be swung outwardly by action of the air thereon during fiight for removing the guard, and a locking device removably disposed between each of said guards and receptacles and arranged to engage said means.

10. A hand grenade comprising, an explosive receptacle, a corrugated vibratory disc having a pin thereon adapted to be brought into engagement with said receptacle by impact, resilient means disposed on opposite sides of said disc for holding it against normal vibration, a guard interposed between said pin and receptacle for preventing unintentional movement of said disc and pin, and means pivoted on said guard arranged to be swung outwardly away from the grenade by action of the air thereon during flight for removing the guard from between the pin and receptacle and allowing free movement of the disc and pin.

11. A hand grenade comprising, an explosive receptacle, a corrugated vibratory disc having a pin thereon adapted to be brought into engagement with said receptacle by impact, resilient means disposed on opposite sides of said disc for holding it against normal vibration a guard interposed between said pin and receptacle for preventing unintentional movement of said disc and pin, means pivoted on said guard arranged to be swung outwardly away from the'grenade by action of the air thereon during fiight for removing the guard from between the pin and receptacl'e and allowing free movement of the disc and pin, and a locking device engaging said means and guard for retaining the parts in inoperative position.

12. A hand grenade comprising, an explosive receptacle, a corrugated vibratory disc having a pin thereon adapted to be brought into engagement with said receptacle by impact, resilient means disposed on opposite sides of said disc for holding it against normal vibration, a guard interposed between said pin and receptacle for preventing unintentional movement of said disc and pin, means pivoted on said guard arranged to be swung outwardly away from the grenade by action of the air thereon during fiight for removing the guard from between the pin and re-'- ceptacle and allowing free movement of the disc and pin, and a locking device removably disposed between the guard and receptacle and arranged to engage said means for retaining the parts in inoperative position.

GEORGE CARDINI. 

